I found these two stories interesting, on several levels:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2012/03/a_feud_between_clevelands_swee.html

 

http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2012/05/post_7.html

 

Naymik's blatant bias is his right as a columnist, as his insistence that race, not culture is the real issue.  But did he inflame the situation in an unneccesarily non-constructive way?

 

Is the "black club-goers" market (more accurately IMO the black heterosexual non-professional clubgoers market) truly "underserved"?  If so, did we just see an example of why?

 

Did Ho skirt the edges of development and licensing rules, or openly flaunt them?

 

Is she the real villian here, or is Hilow, or is it perhaps the bar manager Ho brought in who set the direction of the place?

 

I read both and I honestly don't see any "blatant bias" on the reporter's behalf.  I don't see any conclusory statements of personal opinion which favors one side over the other.  It is just reporting the facts.  It's not a pretty situation and reporter's sometimes have to do the dirty work of brining these situatios to light.  Add onto that the fact that Hilow refused to speak with him to tell her side of the story and what does he have to go on?

 

And based on Hilow's statements in the recording, it appears that race certainly is an issue for her.

Good post, and good questions. I agree his article inflamed things. Doesn't mean it shouldn't have been written, but portraying the Hi-low owner in the light that he did, both personally (foul mouthed, tough talking racist) when her business is right next to an establishment that focuses on attracting black patrons, well, I think he should have written it more carefully. The story could have been told without him endangering this woman or her business.

 

It sounds like Ho is a shady character, many comments reference her paying off inspetors (only so much stock to put in those comments, of course). I understand wanting to be an entrpreneur but this is sort of like putting a mosque right next to a VFW. Yes, they should be "allowed" to peacefully co-exist, but it just seems baiting.

Interesting read...

 

Lots of people in the first article referencing MODA on w. 25th that was shuttered by Cimperman a few years ago for very similar issues. Obviously that turned out to be a smart move because look at that neighborhood now. What most people don't know is that MODA, in it's first year or two of business actually catered to a much more sophisticated, international crowd. It had one of the most state of the art sound systems in the country and regularly hosted DJs from Europe that hardly ever stopped in Cleveland in favor of NYC, Toronto, San Fran etc. There was a shift in their business model or promoter because they started doing hip-hop nights and of course, as we know, it was all down hill from there.

 

So that being said, the "black heterosexual non-professional clubgoers market" are the ones effectively ruining much of the nightlife expansion opportunity in Cleveland. It's a cultural and socioeconomic thing... I don't get it. I'm not trying to be racist, but these people bring so much baggage and filth with them, it's unbelieveable.

 

All of this is very unfortunate because it essentially locks the doors for LEGITIMATE investors that want to open a nightlife establishment. Permits become out of reach. Communities get cold feet when a cabaret license is applied for, or the word "nightclub" is used. I happen to think this area has some of the best industrial/warehouse spaces in the city that could have a possible reuse into nightlife spaces if/when more gentrification happens over there....but as we know, it's probably not going to be so easy anymore. 

Quote from the May 17th PD article: “[sweethearts] still lacked enough parking and a permit to operate as a nightclub. So [sweethearts] sought a zoning change to allow [them] to continue operating late night and so close to homes and schools. The city ruled against [sweethearts] in November 2009, which forced [them] to drop any resemblance to a nightclub and close each night by 7:30 p.m. The city had little choice given the zoning issues, which were not in dispute.”

 

This debate is a non issue because this was an illegal club that brought malice into a otherwise quiet neighborhood in AsiaTown...across from Tyler Village and Asian Town Center no less.  Mary Hi Low is a distraction for these folks that want to operate a club that proved to be a nuisance to this neighborhood before they even got proper zoning and permits!!  I don't see why the PD isn't reporting on this from that angle instead of race baiting.  Sweethearts is just using race to try to get their way.  Case closed!  :shoot:

It's not the PD reporting this angle, it's a columnist.  It's clear from his descriptions that he likes Ho (or perhaps Iorio) and hates Hilow.  Does he have an ulterior motive, perhaps a business interest?

 

This is a classic case of how cultural clashes become "racial", usually at the behest of someone who's taking sides.  Moda's a great comparison, by no means was the problem there "racial".  They had a racially mixed crowd when they were successful.  It's when what could be called the "hip hop" group takes over that there's problems.  "I don't give a f***" is almost a motto to them.  They fight, they break things, they litter, they park where they please and if they block or hit something  oh well, and they are abusive and just plain inconsiderate to the workers .  There's a reason this market is "underserved", it's because few want to deal with them, and for those who will there are extra costs of doing business.  You need serious security, you are going to spend money on maintenance, and you have to pay your people extra for the grief they are going to get and because they won't see much in tips. 

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Mary Hilow's "racist" comments had to do more with "ghetto trash", "animals", and maybe an n word or few meant in the same sense that some blacks use it.  I'd bet that if she has older black regulars who work in nearby manufacturing plants, they are valued regulars and they agreed with her about 300%. 

 

There's also a good chance Judy Ho had no idea what she was getting herself in to.  Sounds like Iorio might have sold her a bill of goods, got cut in for a percentage of the action, and tried to do things on the cheap.  *He* should have known better, if Naymik's description of him is remotely accurate.  But there's so many angles to this story missing that any reporter could, and probably should, have been all over.

The PeeDee is getting rid of the comments section.   This was one time they did a great job clarifying things.

So of course they are all deleted LOL.

Edited February 25, 20205 yr by E Rocc